Peripartum Cardiomyopathy

( N Engl J Med. 2024;390:154–164) Pregnancy induces cardiovascular physiological changes and can sometimes lead to severe complications. Severe cardiac degeneration leading to clinical heart failure during pregnancy or in the early postpartum period defines peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM), but little is known about its causes. This condition occurs in ∼1 in 2000 births globally, with more common diagnoses in Haiti (1 in 300) and Nigeria (1 in 100), and less commonly in other areas. Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a leading cause of maternal death and is responsible for up to 60% of cases of peripartum cardiogenic shock. This article is a review of what is known about PPCM, its clinical presentation, pathogenesis, management, outcomes, and future directions for research.